Intro:

Xtension won the BMW Champions Mile in Hong Kong for the second successive year on Sunday.

Script:

Spectators flocked to the Sha Tin racecourse in Hong Kong on Sunday for the 12th running of the Champions Mile.

The Group 1 flat race for thoroughbreds is one of the Breeders' Cup Series, with the winner automatically qualifying for November's Breeders' Cup Mile in the United States.

Cityscape was the hot favourite, but the British hope was a huge disappointment to the punters, coming home in tenth place.

In recent history, home based horses have dominated this race, and 2012 was no exception.

Last year's winner Xtension, ridden this time by the 20-year-old New Zealand champion jockey James McDonald, started from stall eight, and tucked in behind the early leader Able One.

McDonald has his mount in the perfect position to make a late move to claim victory, running down Glorious Days in the last 100 metres, in a thrilling finish.

The 17-1 shot reclaimed the title to the delight of jockey McDonald, who sealed his 13th Group One victory.

SOUNDBITE: (English) James McDonald, BMW Champions Mile winning jockey:

"I couldn't actually believe where we ended up. After a few hundred metres the pace was slow in behind John's other stablemate, which was a good chance in the race. Even though we got held up a little bit he fought really hard, and it was just an unbelievable thrill."

Glorious Days finished half a length behind in second, whilst Lucky Nine came in third.